Conflict Over Disaster Relief and Other Issues
Lee Nak-yeon: "It's Like Turning on Left Blinker but Going Right During Social Distancing"
Lee Jae-myung: "We Must Overcome Crisis by Boosting Consumption Through Bold Fiscal Policy"
Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared on MBC's "News Desk" on the 19th and publicly criticized Gyeonggi Province's disaster basic income support policy, stating that it "contradicts the quarantine policy." / Photo by MBC
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] As Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, publicly criticized Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, calling his behavior "self-contradictory," interpretations are emerging that the rivalry between the two leading presidential candidates of the ruling party may be intensifying. Previously, Lee and Lee had differing opinions on several issues, including the method of distributing emergency disaster relief funds.
On the 19th, Lee appeared on MBC's 'News Desk' and criticized the policy proposed by Governor Lee to provide a uniform disaster basic income to all residents of Gyeonggi Province, saying, "We are currently practicing social distancing, but telling people to consume is like turning on the left blinker while going right."
Gyeonggi Province had decided to provide 100,000 KRW per person as disaster basic income to all residents regardless of income before the Lunar New Year holiday. Lee's criticism is interpreted as pointing out that such a policy could contradict quarantine measures such as social distancing and bans on private gatherings.
Lee pointed out the policy as a "self-contradictory behavior" and emphasized, "There must be a way to avoid such conflicts."
Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a greeting at the nomination management committee meeting for the April 7 by-elections held at the National Assembly on the 19th. / Photo by Yonhap News
Some view this as the beginning of a so-called 'probe battle' between the two leading presidential candidates of the ruling party, Lee and Lee. The two have previously clashed over various issues.
A representative example is the so-called 'selective vs. universal debate' that arose during the distribution of the second round of emergency disaster relief funds aimed at supporting households and small business owners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August last year, Lee supported the selective distribution plan based on income levels, stating, "I think it is right to provide more support to those in difficulty."
On the other hand, Governor Lee opposed selective distribution based on income, saying, "Selective distribution of disaster relief funds based on income abandons the universal welfare line," and urged for universal distribution, arguing that those who have paid or should pay more taxes should not be disadvantaged or excluded from economic policy implementation.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is entering the briefing room on the afternoon of December 21 last year at Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, to announce emergency quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). / Photo by Yonhap News
The two politicians also recently disagreed again over whether to provide additional nationwide disaster relief funds.
On the 4th, Lee said in an interview with a media outlet, "I don't think the third disaster relief fund alone is sufficient," but added, "Once COVID-19 is somewhat under control, nationwide support can be provided as a measure to stimulate the economy." This is interpreted as a statement that providing disaster relief funds at the current stage, when efforts are focused on quarantine measures such as social distancing, is premature.
On the same day, Governor Lee sent a letter to the National Assembly and the Ministry of Economy and Finance calling for "the need for the largest-ever universal disaster relief fund distribution."
In the letter, Governor Lee appealed, "To overcome the current economic crisis, consumption must be stimulated through bold fiscal policies," and earnestly requested, "Regardless of the positions or political views of each political and administrative entity, please actively pursue expansionary fiscal policies for the future of the Republic of Korea and the lives of its people."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
